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Seeking the Kingdom of God

Seeking the Kingdom of God

When Jesus’ followers expressed concern about their daily needs, He told them to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).

What encouraging words! It is a promise that has brought comfort to millions.

Yet, have you ever considered what the kingdom of God is and how we are to seek it?

Does seeking God’s kingdom mean we are to search for the right denomination to join?

Does it mean we are to seek the right list of religious ceremonies, rituals, and sacraments to perform?

Does it mean we are to seek to identify the right legal method, words, and requirements to get our sins paid, erased, or accounted for?

Jesus said,

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to (Matthew 23:13 NIV84).

These religious leaders were teaching out of the Torah, the Scripture, the God-given religious code, ceremonies, and instructions found in the Bible, yet Jesus told them that their teaching from the Bible was shutting people out from the kingdom of heaven. Thus, seeking the kingdom of God entails more than religious teaching—even from the Bible.

Jesus makes it clear that His kingdom is not found in careful rule-keeping. He said,

The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20, 21 NIV84).

God’s kingdom operates within the heart and mind! The kingdom of God does something within us—it changes us; it makes a fundamental reorientation of what our hearts long for, what our inmost selves desire, and what we hunger to experience. Thus, to seek God’s kingdom means we desire, pursue, and strive toward experiencing this heart change and then growing in character to be more like Jesus.

Our careful religious rule-keeping does not bring the kingdom of God—that doesn’t necessarily mean every religious activity is wrong or bad, but only that such actions do not bring God’s kingdom. Rather than bringing, initiating, or sourcing the kingdom of God, any action, ceremony, or ritual that is genuinely godly is simply the outworking of God’s kingdom that is operating within the heart. Just as the apostle Paul said,

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17 NIV84).

And the Holy Spirit operates within our hearts and minds to enlighten, convict, inspire, renew, transform, empower, and heal.

While God is Creator, while all physical reality is the Lord’s, while God is the God of our real physical universe, while there will be a new earth that is a real physical place where we have real physical bodies—while all of this physical stuff is real—none of it is what the Bible means when it speaks of the kingdom of God. His kingdom is within us; its core foundational roots, principles, and building blocks are not physical—they are spiritual. God’s kingdom is not primarily about power, might, or physical material; rather, God’s kingdom is about the life-giving operational principles that creation is built upon. God’s kingdom is functional; it is the outworking of the values, methods, protocols, attitudes, motivations, ideas, and truths that originate in God and direct the inner working of our beings, and, when reproduced in us by the Spirit, restore us to harmony with God.

The operational landscape of God’s kingdom, then, is the living landscape of our hearts and minds. It is where love functions, where truth operates, and where life flourishes. It is also where Satan attacks and has planted his foul seeds of sin. In other words, the battle between God’s kingdom and Satan’s happens within hearts and minds, and both sin and righteousness only exist in hearts and minds.

Sin does not happen in books or registries in heaven; and recovery from sin, our healing and salvation, also does not happen in books or registries in heaven. Both sin and salvation occur in the hearts and minds of people.

Sin is not made from molecules, physical matter, or material substances. Sin is founded in lies, which break the circle of love and trust, resulting in fear and selfishness, which results in rebellious and disorderly living; i.e., actions that deviate or break God’s design laws for life and health and without remedy result in ruin and death.

Righteousness is found in the truth that originates in God, the truth about God, and it is this truth that destroys Satan’s lies and restores us to trust. In trust we experience God’s love filling our hearts (Romans 5:5), which purges our fear (1 John 4:18), eradicating selfishness (1 John 4:7-12) and transforming our inmost being to become like Jesus (Galatians 2:20). The kingdom of God—the character, methods, principles of God—is within us!

If we want to seek the kingdom of God, then we must seek to know God (John 17:3), for to know Him is to love and trust Him. And once we have come to know God and have surrendered to Him, we experience His love and, in response, we live to love and honor Him (1 John 4:19). Then in that love/trust relationship, if we want to journey deeper into God’s kingdom, we seek daily to advance our minds into a deeper understanding of truth—eternal, operational, functional, reality-based biblical truth. We seek to grow up and become mature Christians who apply heaven’s truths to how we live our lives each day. By practicing God’s methods, we develop mature thinking and real experience in the working knowledge of God’s kingdom and are able to discern right from wrong (Hebrews 5:14).

If we want to journey deeper into the kingdom of God, then in addition to pursuing the truth, we seek to practice the principles of God in how we treat others. We apply God’s methods and principles to our actions. We love others and seek what is in their best interest. And we always leave others free, just as Jesus instructed:

As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:7, 8 NIV84).

The kingdom of heaven is advanced through truth and love, through giving, and through the application of God’s principles in how we govern ourselves in dealing with others. Thus, the righteous live lives of loving service in their communities. And in so doing, God’s kingdom advances in both the community and in the heart of His followers.  

We become more like Jesus, meek and other-centered. And “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4 NIV84).

Those who seek the kingdom of God experience a change in the inner person; their fear and selfishness are replaced with love and trust. They no longer seek to advance themselves, are not arrogant, are not prideful, but they humble themselves and place their pride in Jesus (Galatians 6:14). This is what it means to be reborn, and without this experience, we cannot understand, comprehend, experience, or see the kingdom of God. Jesus said,

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3 NIV84).

This “seeing” is not visual; instead, it is seeing with the heart, comprehending with the mind, and appreciating with the deepest longing of the soul. Jesus and John both tell us that those who crucified Jesus will “see” Jesus come in glory seated next to the Father (Luke 22:69; Revelation 1:7). They will visually “see” Jesus on His heavenly throne in command of His heavenly kingdom, but they will misinterpret what they see. Having rejected Jesus and the truth of God’s kingdom of love, having accepted the lie that God’s law works like human law and that justice is using power to inflict punishment for disobedience, they don’t see our loving Savior, whose heart grieves over all His lost children; they “see” an angry, wrathful, punishing being of infinite power coming to destroy them and, rather than rejoicing in His presence, they are terrified and beg for the mountains to fall on them (Revelation 6:15, 16).

Only those who are reborn in heart, mind, and spirit can truly “see” the kingdom of God, for only those reborn by the Spirit have God’s kingdom restored within them.

So as events in this world continue to decay, don’t get distracted by the fears and worries, but remember Jesus’ promise and “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).

 

 

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Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA